Method and apparatus for automatically affixing top stops on slider fastener chain

ABSTRACT

There is described a process for attaching top stops on socalled &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;gap chain&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; for slide fasteners and apparatus for carrying out the method, one mechanical cycle of the method consisting of a series of steps of stopping the chain at predetermined position, spreading the gap portions of the chain, delivering top stops on the opposing tape edges of the chain close to the leading elements of the element groups spaced along the length of the chain, and clamping the top stops.

United States Patent Oyama Sept. 12, 1972 54 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR[56] References Cited AUTOMATICALLY AFFIXING TOP STOPS 0N SLIDERFASTENER CHAIN 2 732 000 T gi z Q E 5 ST vme [72] Invent M 5; Toma",Asah" 3,588,991 6/1971 Maisenbacher.....29/207.5 s'r cho,shimonnkawa-gun, Toyama- Japan Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager [22]Filed: Nov. 4, 1970 Attorney-Nolte and Nolte [2| Appl. No: 86,663 IABSTRACT Foreign Application Priority Data There is described a processfor attaching top stops on so-called gap chain for slide fasteners andapparatus Nov. 12, 1969 Japan ..44/90574 for carrying out the method,one mechanical cycle of the method consisting of a series of steps ofstopping US. Cl- ..29/408, the chain at predetem ined position preadingthe gap [51] Int. Cl. ..B23p 19/04, B23p 11/00 portions of the chain,delivering top Stops on the [58] Fleld of Search ..29/408, 207.5 ST,207.5 R, posing tape edges of the chain Close to the leading 29/208ments of the element groups spaced along the length of the chain, andclamping the top stops.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDsEP 12 1912 SHEET 2 OF 4 FIGAINVENTOR. 65///0 d a/wfl PATENTEDSEP 12 I972 3.689 .980

sum u or 4 INVENTOR.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY AFFIXING TOP STOPS ON SLIDERFASTENER CHAIN This invention relates to a method and apparatus forautomatically affixing top stop members on fastener chains.

In the manufacture of slide fasteners, it is the conventional practiceto provide a fastener chain consisting of a pair of stringer tapeshaving spaced groups of interlocking fastener elements along the inneredges thereof. Opposed fastener elements on the respective tapes areinterengaged. Each group of the fastenerelements is spaced from anyadjacent groupby ablank tape portion devoid of fastenerelements.Obviously, each group defines the length of an individual fastener to beproduced. Before the chain is cut at the 'blank portions to provideindividual fasteners, it is desirable to subject the chain to variousfastener assembling operations such as mounting of top and bottom stopsand sliders. In assembling slide fasteners, it is desirable for thepurpose of increasing efficiency to transfer the chain in constant flowfrom one step to another, though insome instances it may be preferred toroll up the fastener chain after passing through an operation.

This invention is directed to a method and apparatus which not onlyeliminate the individual handling of single fastener lengths, requiredin the conventional assembling, but provides automatic mounting of topstop members on fastener chains delivered in continuous flow by a chainmachine.

Heretofore, even when the chains were automatically handled on a topstop applying machine, it has been difficult to secure top stops intocorrect position on the tapes, i.e., in a position infinitesimally closeto the leading element of the element group on each stringer tape.

It is thus an important object of the present invention to mount topstops in correct positions on the stringer tapes, close to the leadingelement of each group of fastener elements arranged on the tapes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a highspeed and highprecision method and apparatus of autornatically mounting top stops onfastener chains, whereby the above-mentioned difficulty may beeliminated.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention-will become more readily apparent from the followingdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings whereinlike numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a fastener chain having top stopsmounted in position according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary side view of the apparatus constructedaccording to the invention,

showing essential parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a top stop carrier having a topstop transfer nest on each side;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially in section, showing the essential partsof the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view showing the apparatus of FIG. 4 partially in frontelevation and partially in sections taken along lines VV and V'V' ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6a, 6b and 6c are views showing the relative operative positions offastener parts and moving elements of the apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a chain stopping means.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, the fastener chain20 has a pair of stringer tapes 21, 21 having attached along the inneredges thereof a series of interlocking elements 22. The fastenerelements 22 are arranged in groups alongthe length of the stringer tapes21 and each group of fastener elements is spaced away from adjacentgroups by blank tape portions 23. The top stops indicated at 24 aresecured on the opposing inner edges of the blank tape portions 23 in aposition close to the leading elements 22' of the element groups onrespective stringertapes.

The operation and apparatus, which form apreferred I embodiment of thisinvention, are illustratedin FIGS. 2

pair of tape grippers for gripping and spreading said blank tapeportions at said position; a means for mechanically spreading saidgrippers; a top stop carrier vpivotally supported on a machine frameoverhead said position for free swinging movement into and out of thegap between the spread tapes for delivering a top stop to the inneredgeof each tape in a position close to a leading fastener element; a meansfor clamping top stops in said position; and a means for resiliently andretractively maintaining the arms-of said tape grippers so as to bringthe leading element on respective tapes laterally in alignment with eachother and to allow both top stops to be positioned close to the leadingelements. The chain 20 is drawn across a chain guide table 26 by pullerrollers 27 and 28. FIG. 2 shows a pressure pad 29 which is held againstthe tape by means of a compression spring 30 for holding the'tapessecurely on the table. Element guide ridges 31, 31 are provided on thechain guide table 26 to permit the fastener elements to pass therealongand guide the chain in proper position.

A chain stopping means is provided underneath the path of travel of thechain 20 and generally indicated by the reference numeral 32, includinga feeler finger 33 normally retractively projected from underneath intothe path of tape travel. When the spaced bland tape portion passes overthe finger 33, it rises into the blank portion and engages with aleading element 22' of a succeeding group of fastener elements (FIG.6a).

The finger 33 is connected to one end ofa feeler rod 34 which ispivotally movable about a pin 35 of a sliding member 77 which isslidably received in a frame 36. The finger 33 is normally biasedupwardly by a compression spring 37 placed underneath the feeler rod 34.When the finger 33 engages with the leading element 22' succeeding theblank tape portion, the rod 34 and sliding member 55 slide with chainelements 22 in the direction indicated by arrow 38, against spring 39. Apusher rod 40 is provided to push the angular rear end of the feeler rod34 upwardly against the sloping inner wall 41 of the frame 36 when thefinger 33 is pulled by a predetermined distance by the chain, therebyretracking the feeler finger 33 from elements 22 and allowing spring 39to return the feeler finger and rod member 34 to their initial position.

Reference numeral 42 generally designates chain grippers symmetricallyprovided one on each side of the path of the chain 20. Each gripper 42comprises a pair of upper and lower arms 43 and 44 disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the path of tape travel and pivotallysupported on pin members 45 and 46 extending between the side walls of aframe member 47. These arms are provided with bifurcated fingers 48, 48and 49, 49 at the ends extending into the path of the chain. The fingers48,48, 49, 49' of the upper and lower arms are biased away from eachother by a compression spring 50. The fingers of each arm are spacedapart by a predetermined distance as indicated at H in FIG. 4 so thatthe arms may have a grip on the blank tape portions 23 with fingers 48,48' as well as on the tape portion adjacent the leading elements onrespective tapes with fingers 49,49.

At the end opposite to the fingers 48, 48' and 49, 49 the upper andlower gripper arms have shoulder portion 51, 52 respectively. Theshoulders 51, 52 are provided in the inner surface thereof withlaterally successive, mutually facing concave recesses 53 and 54 foraccommodating a ball member 55. The fingers of the upper and lower armsmay be closed or opened by selectively shifting the ball member 55between two resting positions defined by the recesses 53 and 54. Whenthe ball 55 is in the outer rest position defined by outer recesses 54of the upper and lower arms 43, 44, the fingers are opened by the actionof spring 50. Shift into inner position of the ball member 55 causes thefingers to close against spring 50.

The frame member 47 supporting the gripper arms has a stud 56 looselyfitted into a bore 66 formed in a plate 57 which is supported on avertical shaft 58 for oscillating movement thereabout. An oscillatingmovement is imparted to the moving plate 57by a link 59 connectedthereto. Mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft 58 is anoscillating arm 60 whose free end is extended into a cut away portion orindentation 61 of a reciprocating rod member 62 interposed between theupper and lower arms 43, 44 of the tape gripper 42. The reciprocatingrod 62 retains therein the ball member 55 as mentioned hereinbefore andfunctions to shift the ball member between its outer and inner restpositions defined by the recesses 53 and 54 of the gripper arms inresponse to oscillating movement of the oscillating arm 60.

Once the chain 20 is gripped correctly by the finger projections 48, 48'and 49 49' of the tape gripper 42, link 59 oscillates the moving plates57 about the shafts 58 together with the gripper assembly 42 mountedthereon in the direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 4 thereby to spreadthe blank tape portions 23 symmetrically as shown in FIG. 6b.

Oscillating movement is selectively imparted to the arm 60 by link 63through the vertical shaft 58. The arm 60, link 63 and shaft 58 areadapted to follow the oscillating movement of the moving plate 57 sothat unintentional shifting of the ball member which might be causedduring the oscillating movement of the gripper arms may be prevented.

When the blank tape portions 23 of the chain are spread apart, the topstop carriage generally designated at 64 swings down into the gapbetween the spreaded tapes for delivering and positioning top stops.This top stop carrier, as shown in FIG. 2, is supported on a machineframe 65 overhead the path of chain travel,

more particularly overhead the position at which the tapes are spreadand swing down into the gap between the spread tapes in a plane passingthrough the center between the spread tapes and in a plane perpendicularto the plane of the fastener chain. The carrier 64 is provided at thefree end thereof with a slidable moving block 67 and a stationary blockmember 68, 68 disposed on each side of the moving block 67. The slidingblock 67 has laterally projecting head portions 69 and 70 which incooperation with the stationary blocks 68, 68 define a top stop transfernest 71 on each side of v the carrier adjacent to said free end. Thetransfer nests 71, 71 are provided in such position on the carrier thatthe top stops resiliently held therein may be threaded on the inneredges of respective tapes when the carrier 64 is in its lowermostposition.

The top stops members indicated at 24 in FIG. 3 are of the U-shaped typeeach having two legs. The device of this type is well known in the artand has been used for many years. The top stop members 24, 24 may besuitably fed to thenests 71, 71 of the carrier 64 from shoots eachhaving a pusher member 72 adapted to push a top stop into the nest withthe top stop legs disposed outwardly as shown in FIG. 3.

According to the invention, the stationary block members 68, 68 andmoving block member 67 function also as a means for clamping the topstops in position on the tapes. The top stops, after being threaded overthe inner edges of the spreaded tapes, may be securely clamped on thetapes by the sliding block member 67 moving in the direction indicatedby an arrow in FIG. 3, compressing the top stops against the stationaryblock members 68, 68. The top stops are introduced into the gap betweenthe tapes in the direction as indicated in FIG. 6b and come intoengagement with the respective tape edges at the position shown at W.

As shown in FIG. 6a, the chain is fed with the elements on the opposingtapes interconnected alternatively and this alternative interconnectionof the elements necessarily results in the positional difference betweenthe leading elements of the coupled elements groups. One leading elementprecedes the other by a distance corresponding to its width. However,the top stop carrier 64 has the transfer nests 71, 71 laterally inalignment with each other and, therefore, when one top stop is broughtinto an abutting relationship with a leading element on one tape, theother top stop is still left spaced away from the leading element on theopposite tape as shown in FIG. 6b. In order that both of the two topstops are invariably positioned close to the leading element onrespective tapes, according to the invention, the fastener chain istemporarily deflected thereby the bring the leading elements laterallyin alignment with one another. To accomplish this, the apparatusaccording to the invention is provided with a means for resiliently andretractively maintaining the gripper arms, which means comprises a firstplate member 73 secured to the undersurface of the moving plate 57adjacent to the bore 66 in which the stud 56 of the frame member 47 isreceived. A second plate member 74 is secured to the lower end of thestud 56 with one end in abutted against the first plate member 73 asshown at 75 in FIG. 4. The other end of the second plate member 74 isnormally biased away from the first plate 73 by a predetermined distanceby means of a compression spring 76 interposed therebetween. With thisarrangement, when the top stop carrier 64 is brought into the positionshown in FIG. 6b, the top stop in one nest abuts against the precedingone of the leading elements. The abutting force of the carrier 64 istransmitted through the preceding leading element to the tape grippingfingers 48, 48 causing the arms 43 and 44 to retract against spring 76,thereby temporarily deflecting the tape as shown at R in FIG. 6c. Thus,the two top stops are laterally aligned with one another and may beplaced in correct positions infinitesimally close to respective leadingelements as shown in FIG. 60, and the top stops are fixed .in thisposition by the clamping means mentioned hereinabove. With the clampingof the top stops one mechanical cycle terminates and all moving elementsof the apparatus return to their initial position for recommencement ofanother cycle of the operation.

- While there has been shown and described in this application oneembodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will beunderstood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose ofillustration and description and that various other modifications andalterations may be made within the scope of my invention as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for automatically affixing top stops on a travelling slidefastener chain having a pair of stringer tapes, provided along theopposed inner edges thereof with groups of fastening elements andtherebetween, with blank tape portions, each group of fastening elementsbeing interconnected with a corresponding group on the opposite tape,said method comprising (1) stopping the blank tape portions at apredetermined position in the path of the travelling chain, (2)spreading the stringer tapes of the stopped, blank tape portions in theplane of the fastener chain by applying a pair of grips of the fastenerchain, one in a part of a stopped blank portion slightly spaced from thenearest leading fastening element and the otheradjacent to a leadingfastening element, (3) delivering top stops on the inner edges of thespread tapes in a position close to each of said leading elements insaid predetermined position and (4) clamping the top stops in saidposition.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the stringer tapes aredeflected temporarily so as to bring the leading elements on theopposing tapes laterally in alignment with one another.

3. Apparatus for automatically affixing top stops on a fastener chaintravelling along a path of tape travel and having a pair of continuousstringer tapes, provided along the inner edges thereof with groups offastening elements and spaced blank tape portions therebetween, eachgroup of fastening elements being interconnected with a correspondinggroup on the opposite tape, comprising in combination (1) means forstopping a spaced tape portion at a predetermined position of said path,2) a pair of tape grippers provided in said position, one on each sideof said path of tape travel, each comprising a pair of pivotallysupported arm means for cooperatively gripping the stringer tapes at twopositions, at different locations of said spaced tape portion, (3) meansfor mechanically controlling said tape grippers to grip and spread thetapes, (4) a top stop carrier mounted above sai redete mined osition forswin mg into and out 0 send path in the area of the tap s spread by saidtape grippers for delivering a top stop on the inner edge of each tapein a position at least generally close to a leading fastening element,(5) means for resiliently holding said tape grippers and for therebybringing the leading elements on the opposing tapes laterally inalignment with one another, and (6) means for then clamping the topstops to said tapes.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means for stopping thespaced tape portion comprises a feeler finger member normallyretractively projected from underneath into the path of tape travel andadapted to rise into the spaced tape portion of the fastener chain.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said tape gripperscomprises an upper and lower arm disposed substantially perpendicular tosaid path of travel of the chain and pivotally supported on a framemember, said arms being provided with bifurcated tape gripping fingersat the ends extending into said path and shoulder portions at the endsopposite thereto, spring means for normally biasing said ends of armsaway from each other; mutually opposed, twin recesses in said shoulderportions of said upper and lower arms; and ball means shiftablyretainable in said recesses for variable mutualpositioning of said arms.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means for controllingthe tape grippers comprises a plate mounted on a vertical shaft foroscillating movement thereabout and carrying said frame member of saidgripper arms, an oscillating arm member mounted on said vertical shaftat the upper end thereof, a reciprocating rod member interposed betweenthe upper and lower arms of said tape grippers and mechanicallyconnected to said oscillating arm, and retaining said ball means forshifting it selectively between outer and inner positions defined bysaid recesses of gripper arms in response to oscillating movement ofsaid oscillating arm.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for resilientlyholding tape grippers comprises a first plate member secured to theundersurface of said plate and a second plate member secured to a studof said frame member of the gripper arms, said stud being supportedlyfitted through a bore formed in said moving plate, said second platemember having one end thereof abutted against said first plate memberand the other end normally resiliently biased away from the first platemember by a predetermined distance by means of a compression springinterposed therebetween.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said top stop carrierincludes a retractively slidable block member having laterally projectedhead portions and stationary block members disposed on the sides of saidslidable block members, said laterally projecting head portions of themovable and stationary block members defining a top stop transfer neston each side of the carrier.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top stop carriercomprises said means for clamping top stops, between said slidable andstationary block members.

"H050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CO RECTIO Patent No.689,980 I I Dated SEPTEMBER 12, 1 2

Inventofls) I YOSHIO OYAMA It is certified that error appears inthe'aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are, herebycorrected as shown below:

ASSIGNMENT FROM YOSHIO 62mm to:

YOSHIDA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA Signed and sealed, this 17th day of April1973.

(SEAL) Attest;

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RO BERT .GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A method for automatically affixing top stops on a travelling slidefastener chain having a pair of stringer tapes, proviDed along theopposed inner edges thereof with groups of fastening elements andtherebetween, with blank tape portions, each group of fastening elementsbeing interconnected with a corresponding group on the opposite tape,said method comprising (1) stopping the blank tape portions at apredetermined position in the path of the travelling chain, (2)spreading the stringer tapes of the stopped, blank tape portions in theplane of the fastener chain by applying a pair of grips of the fastenerchain, one in a part of a stopped blank portion slightly spaced from thenearest leading fastening element and the other adjacent to a leadingfastening element, (3) delivering top stops on the inner edges of thespread tapes in a position close to each of said leading elements insaid predetermined position and (4) clamping the top stops in saidposition.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the stringer tapesare deflected temporarily so as to bring the leading elements on theopposing tapes laterally in alignment with one another.
 3. Apparatus forautomatically affixing top stops on a fastener chain travelling along apath of tape travel and having a pair of continuous stringer tapes,provided along the inner edges thereof with groups of fastening elementsand spaced blank tape portions therebetween, each group of fasteningelements being interconnected with a corresponding group on the oppositetape, comprising in combination (1) means for stopping a spaced tapeportion at a predetermined position of said path, (2) a pair of tapegrippers provided in said position, one on each side of said path oftape travel, each comprising a pair of pivotally supported arm means forcooperatively gripping the stringer tapes at two positions, at differentlocations of said spaced tape portion, (3) means for mechanicallycontrolling said tape grippers to grip and spread the tapes, (4) a topstop carrier mounted above said predetermined position for swinging intoand out of said path in the area of the tapes spread by said tapegrippers for delivering a top stop on the inner edge of each tape in aposition at least generally close to a leading fastening element, (5)means for resiliently holding said tape grippers and for therebybringing the leading elements on the opposing tapes laterally inalignment with one another, and (6) means for then clamping the topstops to said tapes.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein saidmeans for stopping the spaced tape portion comprises a feeler fingermember normally retractively projected from underneath into the path oftape travel and adapted to rise into the spaced tape portion of thefastener chain.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of saidtape grippers comprises an upper and lower arm disposed substantiallyperpendicular to said path of travel of the chain and pivotallysupported on a frame member, said arms being provided with bifurcatedtape gripping fingers at the ends extending into said path and shoulderportions at the ends opposite thereto, spring means for normally biasingsaid ends of arms away from each other; mutually opposed, twin recessesin said shoulder portions of said upper and lower arms; and ball meansshiftably retainable in said recesses for variable mutual positioning ofsaid arms.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means forcontrolling the tape grippers comprises a plate mounted on a verticalshaft for oscillating movement thereabout and carrying said frame memberof said gripper arms, an oscillating arm member mounted on said verticalshaft at the upper end thereof, a reciprocating rod member interposedbetween the upper and lower arms of said tape grippers and mechanicallyconnected to said oscillating arm, and retaining said ball means forshifting it selectively between outer and inner positions defined bysaid recesses of gripper arms in response to oscillating movement ofsaid oscillating arm.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein saidmeans for resiliently holding tape grippers comprises a first platemember secured to the undersurface of said plate and a second platemember secured to a stud of said frame member of the gripper arms, saidstud being supportedly fitted through a bore formed in said movingplate, said second plate member having one end thereof abutted againstsaid first plate member and the other end normally resiliently biasedaway from the first plate member by a predetermined distance by means ofa compression spring interposed therebetween.
 8. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 3, wherein said top stop carrier includes a retractively slidableblock member having laterally projected head portions and stationaryblock members disposed on the sides of said slidable block members, saidlaterally projecting head portions of the movable and stationary blockmembers defining a top stop transfer nest on each side of the carrier.9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top stop carriercomprises said means for clamping top stops, between said slidable andstationary block members.